We stared down the corridor, my skin prickling with unease. At the far end, creatures of living flame hovered in place, their burning eyes sizing us up as though they were preparing for a fight. I'd never seen anything like them before, they were both beautiful and frightening. Tyler gripped my arm, and we steadied ourselves as we approached the flickering specks of light. As much as every instinct screamed inside of me to run from those flames I didn't, I knew we had a duty to fulfill. If we failed, I shuddered to think what might become of Ezas and all humanity. I met Tyler's gaze and gave a short nod. Together. Side by side, and with Cliff and Sam behind us, we started the long walk toward those hovering flames.
Sam whispered to Cliff. "They appear to be fire imps or something very similar."
The living flames darted and spun as we came closer, crackling in a way that might be considered laughter. I felt their waves of heat buffeting my leather armor, seeking any weakness to exploit. The forms of light swirled in ribbons of hot embers, watching us, waiting for us. They danced on the still, hot air, but they didn't attack us. These beings were ancient creatures more powerful than any human. If they'd wanted to hurt us, they would have done so by now. Instead, they just floated in place waiting to see what we'd do next. I raised my hands slowly, showing them we came in peace. We were here to negotiate, if possible, not fight. The little flames crackled and whirled around us, spitting sparks in all directions. They only sounds they made were the pops and snaps of fire.
The largest one glided a few inches above the corridor floor and stopped several feet in front of us. Its red eyes silently observing us. The flame was no more than a foot tall, with crimson skin that glowed from within. Its body was thin and wiry, constantly crackling. Flames moved across its skin but never seemed to burn the creature. Two tiny horns protruded from its head, and spiraled outward. It had clawed hands and feet, more suited for perching than walking. When it moved, small wisps of cinders trailed in its wake, and the air around it rippled with heatwaves.
"We are not here to fight with you," I said.
"Humans, Your kind has not walked the depths of this realm in more than a millennia." The flame crackled, its burning embers casting a glow across the chamber.
"Who... or what are you?" I asked cautiously.
"Ah, mortals, you are so quick to forget the old tales. My name is Fyresdotter, and I 'm the Queen of Basaltone, Ruler of the the First Realm, Inferno, Leader of Firelings ." She intoned.
"What is Basaltone?" I asked
"Basaltone is the land of the that you have been travelling through since your arrival. The final plane to cross before reaching your world. Some of your kind refer to it as Hades, or as Hell. It is not as bad a place as your people would believe. I have been watching you since you arrived here. I have seen you solve the Riddles of the Keys and fight off the Smoky Beasts. The big one behind you, he was very skilled in defeating my centipede, I do commend him. I also know what you are looking for."
"We have come here to find the Saber of Fire," I declared, interrupting Fyresdotter
She tossed her head back, flames and embers framing her face. "You were sent by the Opponent's annoying Archmage, Dylizadon."
Fyresdotter tilted her head, studying me intently. The Fireling's aura flared brighter for a moment before settling into a steady glow.
"The Saber of Fire," She mused, her voice a deep crackle that resonated through the chamber. " If you want it. You must successfully complete my test"
"Your test?" I asked cautiously. " Dylizadon, creates the challenges, he is the guardian here."
Fyresdotter grinned, revealing rows of flickering teeth. " That mage knows nothing. He is but a mere interloper." She leaned close to me, her heat warming my cheeks. "The test will challenge your wit and courage." She pointed towards an opening carved into the stone walls of the chamber. "Through there you and only you will enter. The others shall remain here with me. Survive my test and the Saber of Fire shall be yours."
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I stared at the opening, wondering what lay beyond when Fyresdotter spoke again. "Only those deemed worthy by sacred flames can wield the Saber. Many have entered seeking power, none have returned. Enter if you dare."
I took a deep breath to quiet my doubts and entered through the opening. I glanced over my back at Sam, Tyler and Cliff. The three of them stood shoulder to shoulder, Sam smiled weakly at me, Cliff and Tyler looked on with stony expressions.
"Not again," I mumbled to myself seeing what appeared in front of me. "I thought we had left the molten rock behind us when we entered the Inner Sanctum." Beyond the entrance threshold a pit bubbled over with magma. Above the pit, separated by a narrow gap, was a stone platform. The only way across was to traverse another bridge. This time a suspension bridge made of stone treads and metal cable. I rose to the challenge digging deep down inside of me for every bit of courage. I stepped out onto the first thin tread of flagstone. The stones felt slippery and uneven underneath my feet. Each step made me focus with intent on the crossing, one misstep and I would fall into the scalding pit below. At almost the midpoint of the span one of the stones gave way. I stumbled but caught myself on the cables, dangling precariously over the fire. I groaned, pulling myself back up onto the bridge, thankful to be alive. Slowly, carefully, I proceeded further, stone by stone, my heart still racing. The heat and fumes rising from the molten rock made my eyes water and my lungs burn, but I pressed on. When I reached the other side I collapsed onto solid ground. A mist obscured my view of anything further. As I struggle to calm my nerves, voices began to resonate throughout the chamber, their sole purpose to beat me with false accusations and insults.
"You are weak," One voice said.
"A failure," Another thundered.
"Unworthy," Scolded a third.
The voices grew louder and more malicious, tearing at my confidence. For a moment I wavered, their words clawing at the edges of my thoughts, threatening to overcome my senses. But I hardened myself. I would not become prey to these cunning phantoms. Breathing slowly, I stilled my mind, ignoring the voices. I would not offer them the satisfaction to eat my fear. Slowly the voices faded away into silence when I did not respond to their taunts.
The mist cleared, revealing a small flame in the distance, it fluttered upon a pedestal, casting a warm, glimmering light. Nested within the flame, like a pearl in a velvet lined box, was a jeweled orb. Its surface glittered as the firelight touched dozens of emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and topaz that were all joined together into a sphere. Each gem was set within bands of gold that gleamed softly. The orb's centerpiece seized my gaze. It was a perfectly round opal. It's surface lined with iridescent ribbons of aqua and rose. The orb was slightly bigger than a baseball. Mesmerized, I peered into the opal's rippling depths. Phantasmal shapes and images formed and flickered out of sight, too fast for the eye to fix upon. When I lifted the orb from its pedestal it grew warm in my hands. It was comforting, I felt nothing but tranquility. The peacefulness did not last long. A sharp electrical cracking sound splintered in the space above me. In my hand a jagged line appeared across the surface of the opal, marring its perfection. The crack spread swiftly over the orb, like a web, releasing an angry red burst of energy. It then shattered into a thousand radiant fragments, gold and gemstones crumbling away into nothingness. Where the orb had rested in my hands now hovered a churning mass of flames, growing hotter and brighter with every heartbeat. I stumbled back, shielding my face from the heat. The flames spun into a writhing whirlwind, spitting sparks and fire. A roar echoed from within the fire, shaking everything within reach.
Cruel eyes formed in the flames, regarding me with contempt. A bright fire licked at a raging face that coalesced around those eyes, twisted in wrath. And when it spoke its voice crackled like wildfire.
"You have released me at last, mortal. Now your pathetic soul shall BURN!"
The creature grew, stretching toward the ceiling in a towering inferno. I fell back, shielding my face as the flames became unbearable.
The inferno roared at me. "Submit and kneel before me, or be reduced to ashes!" I realized in that moment that this raging fire spirit was the final test, the Sacred Flame. I must somehow subdue this creature without being consumed by it.
I stepped forward into the hellish blaze. The Sacred Flame glared down at me, its fiery features twisted ."Foolish mortal! How dare you defy me, kneel now or perish?!"
I planted my feet firmly and declared. "I seek only to prove myself worthy of the Saber of Flames. To do so, I must first master the flame that claims to be sacred."
The fire lit face stared down at me and spoke with mocking laughter. "You?! Master me?! I have consumed entire civilizations!"